When I first came into AFM, I thought I knew exactly what success looked like. I think I had the mindset that many of us carry from high school, like work hard, get the best grades, join every club and get the perfect Big 4 co-op early on. So, to me, it was all about doing the most, aiming high and walking a straight line. And anything less then that, felt like I was falling behind.
And honestly, that mindset wasn’t one only I had. I saw it in conversations, in group chats, in the way other students around me talked about their goals. So, I poured everything into that version of success. But somewhere along the line, I started burning out. I pulled away from things I loved and my friends and family started to notice. I almost missed out on the present because I was so focused on what I thought I had to achieve.
It wasn’t until the summer after first year that I realized I could’ve had an even better year, not by doing more, but by allowing myself to slow down and take my time. To live a little. To spend time with people I care about. To continue doing the things I love instead of pushing that to the side. So, in second year, when everyone was applying for Big 4, I made the choice to not. It had been a goal of mine too, but something felt different. A professor I’m close to told me something that changed my perspective. He said it’s okay to work your way up through your career over time. Sometimes choosing learning, curiosity and experience is more valuable in the long run. And that advice helped me choose something different.
So, I applied to a mid-sized firm for co-op and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I worked in an area I liked, made amazing new friends and learned so much more than I imagined. I also got a return offer. But more importantly, I understood what success truly meant.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about timelines. Success, to me now, means having the courage to choose what’s right for you, even if it looks different from what everyone else may be doing. It means staying open to growth, remembering who you are and enjoying the moments that matter in the present too, not just the ones you’re chasing in the future.
To anyone who feels unsure or behind, you’re not. Everyone moves at their own pace, even if they don’t always say it out loud. So, allow yourself to explore your options, trust your timing and remember that some of the best decisions you’ll make might be the ones you weren’t planning to make at all.